Spherical hand exerciser with off-center weighted core

ABSTRACT

A spherical hand exerciser has a resilient, non-slip exterior with an off-center cavity and a weighted core housed within the cavity. A method of performing physical therapy with the exerciser includes grasping at least one exerciser; and manipulating it around the hand and fingers. The offset placement of the weighted core works stabilizer muscles of the fingers, hand, wrist, and forearm during manipulation, increasing the synergy and workable range of motion of both the flexor and the extensor muscles, allowing for faster learning and better effects.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisionalapplication No. 63/233,564, filed Aug. 16, 2021, the contents of whichare herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to exercise balls and, more particularly,to a spherical hand exerciser with an off-center weighted core.

Hand and wrist strength, finger range of motion and dexterity are allnegatively affected by age and repetitive motion activities (e.g.,typing, writing, sports, etc.)

Most hand exercisers only train either the flexor or the extensormuscles, not both. Hand exercise balls have always been made of hardmaterials (i.e., metal or stone) which limit their use and effectivenessand their symmetrical, evenly weighted designs fail to effectivelystimulate stabilizer muscles to best integrate the effects throughoutthe worked region and functions.

Singular modality exercisers (flexor or extensor muscle-activating)don't effectively train the hand, fingers, wrist, and forearms to worknaturally in unison and don't work stabilizer muscles effectively. Inaddition, the hard materials make them very slippery and difficult tohandle, thereby decreasing the available range of motion effects forusers and risking damage to floors or other surfaces upon impact whilecontinuing to roll away from the user unimpeded by any braking aid.

As can be seen, there is a need for a soft, non-slip hand exercisereffective to extend exercise range of motion and train both flexor andextensor muscles in unison, while simultaneously stimulating stabilizermuscles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a spherical hand exerciser withan off-center weighted core comprises a resilient, non-slip exteriorwith an off-center cavity formed therein; and a weighted core housedwithin the off-center cavity.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method of performingphysical therapy comprises providing at least one spherical handexerciser; grasping the spherical hand exerciser; and manipulating thespherical hand exerciser around a hand and fingers.

The offset placement of the weighted core requires additionalrecruitment of stabilizer muscles of the fingers, hand, wrist, andforearm during manipulation, increasing the synergy, dexterity, andworkable range of motion of both the flexor and the extensor muscles,allowing for faster learning and better effects.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdrawings, description, and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exercise and massage ball accordingto an embodiment of the present invention, shown in use;

FIG. 2 is another perspective view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view thereof, taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2 ;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view thereof, shown in use; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view thereof, shown in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplatedmodes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. Thedescription is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merelyfor the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention,since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, one embodiment of the present invention is a non-sliphand-exerciser ball having a soft, non-slip polymer exterior surroundingan off-centered solid metal core or interior weight.

The inventive ball is easy to manipulate and effective at training thehand, fingers, wrist, and forearm in unison as they naturally worktogether. The offset placement of the core uniquely recruits andstrengthens stabilizer muscles of the fingers, hand, wrist, and forearmduring manipulation, increasing the synergy and workable range of motionof both the flexor and the extensor muscles, allowing for fasterlearning and better effects. The metal core provides additional weightfor easy manipulation with the palms and fingers of the working hand andto stimulate various muscles, ligaments, tendons, and pressure points inthe hand for overall development of strength, mobility, and generalhealth of the hands, wrist, arms, and other associated body systems.Muscles, joints, and ligaments are naturally stretched and exercised atthe same time, increasing strength, range of motion, dexterity, andtactile sensation while often relieving pain related to aging joints andrepetitive motion injuries and illnesses. In addition, if dropped, thesoft polymer exterior is unlikely to damage impact surfaces and itsoff-weighted design naturally brings it to rest quickly on its own.

The outer layer of the exercise ball may be, for example, an inorganicsynthetic polymer that provides a non-slip function enabling easymanipulation and movement in the hand, thereby extending the exerciserange of motion to provide better effects.

The weighted core, such as a metal ball, is placed slightly off-centerinside of the soft exterior to provide a slight variety ofweight-distribution as it is used, further activating supportingmuscles, ligaments, and tendons required to maintain shifting balancewithin the exercise ranges.

The inventive ball may be dimensioned and shaped for easy manipulationin a user's hand, with a cavity having a predetermined size and locationfor off-center placement of the weighted ball core.

The materials of manufacture are not particularly limited. The exteriormaterial may be a polymer, e.g., an inorganic synthetic polymer such assilicone. Other synthetic materials, such as organic polymers, andtexture features (like nubs or patterns) may be used to providedifferent tactile sensations and easier usage. The weighted core may bemade with metal. For example, the metal may be steel. Other metals maybe used to provide additional health benefits (like copper).

The inventive ball may be manufactured by placing a polymer material(e.g., silicone) in a vulcanizing machine to be liquified, and thenpouring the liquified polymer into a molding machine to form two halvesof the outer layer of the ball, with a slightly off-center cavity in thecenter. A metal ball may be placed in the cavity and the two halvesre-heated to fuse them together around the metal ball.

To use the ball (or multiple balls), the user may manipulate the ball(s)in the hand, performing a variety of exercises that may include the useof the hand, fingers, wrist, arms, shoulders, and other supportingmuscles. The ball(s) may be rolled around in the palm of the hand, ontop of the hand, passed from hand-to-hand, and/or manipulated around thehand in various ways and directions using the fingers. The ball(s) mayalso be manipulated with a user's foot (or feet) to strengthen andstimulate the muscles, ligaments, tendons and pressure points of thefeet, toes, ankles, leg, and other supporting body systems. The ball(s)may also be used as a massage device when rolled individually ortogether on the body's muscles.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 5 , an exercise ball 10 according to anembodiment of the present invention comprises a malleable polymerexterior 12 surrounding a weighted core 14. As best shown in FIG. 3 ,the weighted core 14 is positioned off-center within the polymerexterior 12. A single ball 10 may be manipulated by a user's hand 16,including the user's fingers, as illustrated in FIG. 1 . Alternatively,multiple balls 10 may be manipulated within the palm and fingers of theuser's hand 16, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 .

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates toexemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as setforth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A spherical hand exerciser with an off-centerweighted core, comprising: a resilient, non-slip exterior with anoff-center cavity formed therein; and a weighted core housed within theoff-center cavity.
 2. The spherical hand exerciser of claim 1, whereinthe weighted core comprises a metal ball.
 3. The spherical handexerciser of claim 1, wherein the resilient, non-slip exterior comprisesan inorganic polymer.
 4. The spherical hand exerciser of claim 1,further having dimensions effective for manipulation within a user'shand.
 5. The spherical hand exerciser of claim 1, wherein the resilient,non-slip exterior has a predetermined texture.
 6. A method of performingphysical therapy, comprising: providing at least one spherical handexerciser of claim 1; grasping the at least one spherical handexerciser; and manipulating the at least one spherical hand exerciseraround a hand and fingers.